Method and apparatus for real-time correlation of data collected from biological sensors

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for performing real-time correlation of data collected from biological sensors, including, but not limited to, sensors adapted to analyze biological material (e.g., blood or tissue samples) and environmental material (e.g., air or water samples). In one embodiment, a method for correlating biological data over a broad (geographic or demographic) domain includes receiving data relating to at least two samples of biological material, where the samples originate at two different regions of the broad domain. This data is then correlated to produce a domain-wide view of the biological data, thereby enabling the rapid identification of domain-wide medical emergencies. Moreover, this correlated information may be provided to lower-level correlation sources or to the biological sensors in order to increase the sensitivities of the correlation sources or biological sensors to emerging threats.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 550,472, filed Mar. 4, 2004 (titled “Hierarchical Analysis and Correlation of Biological Sensors”), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the analysis of data collected from biological sensors and relates more specifically to the correlation of output from multiple biological sensors to detect the presence of biological agents (e.g., pathogens and toxic agents). BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] In a clinical setting, a description of symptoms alone typically does not provide enough information to diagnose between two or more similar illnesses in a potentially stricken individual. However, an accurate diagnosis is vital, as a misdiagnosis could cause more harm to the individual and could even allow a contagion to spread. Thus, there has long been a need for ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] A method and apparatus are provided for performing real-time correlation of data collected from biological sensors, including, but not limited to, sensors adapted to analyze biological material (e.g., blood or tissue samples) and environmental material (e.g., air or water samples). In one embodiment, a method for correlating biological data over a broad (geographic or demographic) domain includes receiving data relating to at least two samples of biological material, where the samples originate at two different regions of the broad domain. This data is then correlated to produce a domain-wide view of the biological data, thereby enabling the rapid identification of domain-wide medical emergencies. Moreover, this correlated information may be provided to lower-level correlation sources or to the biological sensors in order to increase the sensitivities of the correlation sources or biological sensors to emerging threats.

Problems solved by technology

In a clinical setting, a description of symptoms alone typically does not provide enough information to diagnose between two or more similar illnesses in a potentially stricken individual.

However, an accurate diagnosis is vital, as a misdiagnosis could cause more harm to the individual and could even allow a contagion to spread.

Such sensors typically produce very complex results, including probability measures and time series results, which must subsequently be analyzed and interpreted.

Clinical staffs are thus presented with a large volume of complex and highly technical raw sensor data on which to base a diagnosis.

Moreover, because systems for deploying sensors tend to be localized, it may be difficult to detect when sensor results may be indicative of a more widespread epidemic.

In emergency situations (e.g., involving fast-spreading or potentially serious illnesses), these realities impede the ability of clinical staff to respond to such occurrences in an appropriately timely manner.

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